Scar Tissue from C-Section Causing Abdominal Pain Years Later? Here’s How to Help

In the last two decades, cesarean surgeries have skyrocketed. Some of these C-sections are for health reasons while others are due to convenience. In most cases, a c-section isn’t the woman’s choice, but the only way she can safely deliver her baby.

Either way, going through a cesarean surgery can be rough. The incision cuts through your core muscles and can causes quite some pain after surgery. Some women even struggle with c-section scar pain years later.

And, while it may be frustrating to deal with the pain, there are things you can do to help minimize the scar pain in the long run.

Common C-Section Scar Issues

With over 33% of births ending in surgery in 2012 alone, it is no wonder that so many women are dealing with painful scar tissue after a c-section. Problems with cesarean scars have become quite a topic of great concern.

The most common way for physicians to perform a cesarean is to do the bikini cut which is an incision right above the bikini line in a horizontal manner. The outward scar is the just the tip of the iceberg for many women.

Adhesions After C-Section

After the c-section, some women have trouble bending, stooping or picking up their newborn from the pain and discomfort the scar leaves. Others may feel the scar area is tender to the touch and may sometimes pull on the muscles nearby and cause lower pelvic pain.

Some women even find themselves constantly bending forward because of the discomfort, causing lower back pain.

Another complication that can be even worse, is when the ligament from the labia that crosses over the pelvic brim gets caught up in the scar tissue. This can cause great discomfort and pain when changing positions from sitting to standing.

This is due to adhesions after a c-section, which is basically internal scaring.

What Are Adhesions?

Adhesions are very strong strands of collagen tissue that can form after your surgery. These strands can adhere your tissues and organs to each other on the inside of your body, almost like glue. This is what causes much of the pain and discomfort even years after your c-section.

Other Complications of Adhesions After C-Section

Complications of adhesions after a C-Section can include:

Irritable bowel syndrome

Constipation and digestive problems

Painful intercourse & bowel movements

Infertility

These types of complications occur because scar tissue and adhesions pull on the abdominal cavity and affect the surrounding organs.

Why Does All of This Happen?

Well, it helps to understand scar tissue. When an incision is made, scar tissue forms where the other tissue was. Scar tissue is not as elastic and is inferior to the normal tissue. Scar tissue can attach itself to organs and cause other problems. While it is made of collagen, it is not as flexible.

How to Help Your Scar?

Recent studies have shown that massage and manipulation of the scar tissue supports healthy healing. Many physical therapists now are treating women who have had a cesarean to help them heal quicker with better results.

With rehabilitative care, your cesarean scar can be healthy and pain-free in a short time.

What’s the Downside?

Unfortunately, the massage and manipulation that helps heal the cesarean scar can be quite painful. Because there is limited blood flow in the scar tissue, any type of manipulation can be really painful.

Physical therapy can include pushing, pinching, massaging, rubbing and anything else that gets the area to move and blood to circulate. Because the scar tissue already hurts, this can cause many women to shy away from the treatment. However, the gain is worth the pain in most instances.

How can I help at home?

Healing from your cesarean is important and your home care regimen is key to your success. Don’t be afraid to touch it at home and get to reacquaint yourself with your body. Of course, let it heal for the first six weeks before touching it so it doesn’t get infected. But home manipulation can help with the healing process too.

When to Start Massage?

It is a good idea to begin your mobilization and massage healing as soon as possible for greatest results. Anytime between six and eight weeks post-partum is a good idea, but it’s always good to consult with your doctor and have a plan.

Also, it may be good to have a friend go with you so you have moral support to push you through the pain.

If you want to get started with massaging your scar tissue from home, here’s a short video on how you can massage your c-section scar yourself.

Remember, you can heal nicely from a cesarean with a little help. Just be gentle on your body and listen to its cues. By taking the time to heal and massage your scar correctly, you can avoid complications later on in life.

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